Fat birds what to do

[mustangsaguaro]

I have a feeling all of my birds even my young ones that have begun to lay are all to fat. Even my 3 broodies who are not laying are too fat. All my birds w/ the exception of a few free range. 2 of my birds that are currently laying are fat as well. Even the ones that don't free range are fat. Aside from literally starving them what can I do? I do not feed a commercial layer feed. I feed my birds whole grains that have been sprouted. And none of the grains are corn so I know they are not getting fat on corn. On the average how many ounces or cups/day should a bird get fed? I have 2 groups of free rangers. The older group and 3 younger ones is about 9 birds and between them all they get about 6 cups of feed/day and they usually finish that all in the morning but are free ranging the rest of the day. The other group is a group of 4 birds that are still young (6mos) old and they were getting about 5 cups of feed/day between them. So what should I do? I really can't decrease their food any more than it is or can I?

Any help/suggestions is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Have you seen excess fat on the livers when processing?

How does the keel feel? If you can feel some meat alongside the keel on each side, that is perfect. I would be cautious to assume that they have a weight problem unless you have evidence of it.

A lighter weight hen will eat about 4 oz. of feed per day.

A group of half a dozen chickens should go through a 50 lb bag of feed every month.

Those hopefully will give you an idea. They do need a protein source. Grains by themselves are insufficient. Some feed soy, others meat scraps, others milk products or fish meal.

I like to use organic chick starter (unmedicated) as it is organic soy and then I mix my grains and other seeds in with it. They really need a nice protein source in the winter when the bugs are rare/gone especially.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

http://www.mofga.org/Publications/M...r/Summer2003/Chickens/tabid/1481/Default.aspx

http://www.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/feed_ingredients/proteins.html
http://www.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/feed_ingredients/grains.html

Here are some good ones for you if needed!

Have fun mixing your feed! I enjoy it too.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/i...ants_you_to_know_about_backyard_chickens.html
OK here a vet says not to check the keel but alongside keel around vent